Sakho declares Liverpool a football republic

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho claims playing for the Premier League leaders is like representing an independent nation.

The centre back, 24, has been overwhelmed by the atmosphere at the club since making a big-money move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

"The atmosphere is fantastic," he told French radio station RMC. "It's really a reflection of the club. Liverpool isn't a small family of the players and the staff. It's really a very, very big family with all the supporters.

"For me, Liverpool is a country. It's a country of football because the support is really behind you and when you know the history in this stadium, it's really exceptional."

Liverpool's defeat by Chelsea last Sunday handed Manchester City the initiative in the title race but Sakho is hopeful that brendan Rodgers' side can still come out on top.

"It was quite a difficult defeat [to take]. But now it's behind us and we have to concentrate on what we have to do until the end of the season.

"That means to take the six points and then we'll do our sums at the end."